What is an IP address used by a virtual machine to communicate over a physical network called?

The term used to describe the IP address that enables a virtual machine to communicate over a physical network is specifically known as the Host Address. This is because the IP address assigned to the virtual machine acts like a unique identifier within the network, allowing it to send and receive data like any physical machine (or host) on that network.

In a virtualized environment, this Host Address is crucial for routing packets correctly to and from the virtual machine. It ensures that the virtual machine can participate in network communications as if it were a standalone physical machine, even though it resides on a host server.

The other terms refer to different concepts in networking. A Provider Address typically relates to services provided by an internet service provider rather than the unique address of a virtual instance. A Gateway Address is significant as it signifies the device that routes traffic from your local network to another network, acting as an access point or a door to another network segment. Lastly, a Subnet Address refers to the network portion of an IP address, which helps in identifying the specific subnet within an IP network but does not define the unique address of the machine itself.

Understanding these distinctions emphasizes how crucial the Host Address is for virtual machines operating within a physical network.